A formal smoking cessation program was developed using guided imagery as a primary intervention. Seventy-five participants attended seven program sessions that focused on imagery training, practice, and reinforcement. General educational materials concerning smoking and health were also provided to participants. A 79O/6 success rate for smoking reduction/cessation was achieved. Program evaluations reflected that imagery was useful to 25% of the attendees. Other beneficial techniques included behavorial coping responses, behavior modification, and social support. Stress was identified as the major cause offailure to quit cigarettes. Study data provide guidance for the development offuture programs. Further validation and refinement of imagery as a nursing intervention is recommended.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Achterburg, J. & Lawlis, G. F. (1978). Imagery of cancer: Imag-Ca:An evaluation tool for the process of disease. Champaign, Illinois: Institute for Personality and Ability Testing.
2.
Achterburg, J. & Lawlis, G.F. (1982). Imagery and health intervention. Topics in Clinical Nursing, 3, 55-60.
3.
Benfari, R. C., Eaker, E. D., Ockene, J., & McIntyre, K.M. (1982). Hyperstress and outcomes in a long-term smoking intervention program. Psychosomatic Medicine, 44, 227-235.
4.
Bigge, M.L. (1976). Learning theories for teachers. New York: Harper and Row, Publishers.
5.
Crowther, J.H. (1983). Stress management training and relaxation imagery in the treatment of essential hypertension. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 6, 169-187.
6.
DiClimente, C. C. & Prochaska, J. O. (1985). Processes and stages of change: Coping and competence in smoking behavior change. In S. Shiffman & T.A. Wills (Eds.), Coping and substance use (pp. 319-343). Orlando: Academic Press.
7.
Dossey, B.M. (1988). Imagery: Awakening the inner healer. In B. M. Dossey, L. Keegan, C. E. Guzzetta, & L. G. Kolkmeier (Eds.), Holisticnursing:A handbookforpractice (pp. 223-261). Rockville, Maryland: Aspen Publishers, Inc.
8.
Finke, R. A. (1980). Levels of equivalence in imagery and perception. Psychological Review, 87, 113-132.
9.
Gagan, J. M. (1984). Imagery: An overview with suggested application for nursing. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 22, 20-23.
10.
Gawain, S. (1985). Creative visualization. New York: Bantam Books.
11.
Hamm, B.H. & O'Flynn, A. I. (1984). Teaching the client to cope through guided imagery. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 1, 39-45.
12.
Jacobsen, E. (1932). Electrophysiology of mental activities. American Journal of Psychology44, 677-694.
13.
Klinger, E. (1980). Imaginal processes: A glimpse of the promised land. In J. J. Mahoney (Ed.), Psychotherapy process: Current issues and future directions (pp. 249-253). New York: Plenum Press.
14.
Klinger, E. (1981). The central placeof imagery in human functioning. In Klinger, E. (Ed.), Imagery: Concepts, results, andapplications (Vol. 2) (pp. 3-16). New York: Plenum Press.
15.
Lyles, J. N., Burnish, T. G., Krozely, M. G., & Oldham, R. K. (1982). Efficacy of relaxation training and guided imagery in reducing the aversiveness of cancer chemotherapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology50, 509-524.
16.
May, J. & Johnson, H. (1973). Physiological activity to internally-elicited arousal and inhibitory thoughts. Journal of Abnormal Psychology82, 239-245.
17.
McCormick, R.D. & Gilson-Parkevich, T.(1979). Patientand family education. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
18.
Pender, N.J. (1982). Health promotion in nursing practice. Norwalk, Connecticut: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
19.
Powell, D.R. (1983). Smokeless. Ann Arbor, MI: The American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
20.
Prochaska, J.O. & DiClemente, C.C. (1983). Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: Toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology51, 390-395.
21.
Prochaska, J.O. & DiClemente, C.C. (1985). Common processes of self-change in smoking, weight control, and psychological distress. In S. Shiffman & T.A. Wills (Eds.), Coping and substance use (pp. 367-386). Orlando: Academic Press.
22.
Prochaska, J.O. & DiClemente, C.C. (1986). Toward a comprehensive model of change. In W.R. Miller & N. Heather (Eds.), Treating addictive behaviors (pp. 94-104). New York: Plenum Press.
23.
Prochaska, J.O., DiClemente, C.C., Velicer, WF., Ginpil, S., & Norcross, J.C. (1985). Predicting change in smoking status for self-changers. Addictive Behaviors, 10, 396-406.
24.
Richardson, A. (1969). Mental imagery. New York: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.
25.
Richardson, A. (1983). Imagery: Definition and types. In A.A. Sheikh (Ed.), Imagery: Current theory research, and application. New York: Wiley.
26.
Rorden, J.W (1987). Nurses as teachers. Philadelphia: WB. Saunders Company.
27.
Samuelson, M.H., & Yukin, W. (1985). Ocean morning. (Cassette Recording No. C-47). Mill Valley, California: The National Center for Health Promotion.
28.
Schwartz, G.E., Fair, P.L., Salt, P., Mandel, M.R., & Klerman, G.L. (1976). Facial muscle patterning to affective imagery in depressed and nondepressed subjects. Science, 192, 489-491.
29.
Sheehan, P.W (1979). Imagery processes and hypnosis: An experimental analysis of phenomena. In A.A. Sheikh & J.T. Shaffer (Eds.), The potential of fantasy and imagination (pp. 89-103). New York: Brandon House.
30.
Sheikh, A.A. & Panagiotou, N.C. (1975). Use of mental imagery in psychotherapy: A critical review. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 41, 555-585.
31.
Shiffman, S.M. (1979). The tobacco withdrawal syndrome. National Institute of Drug Abuse Monograph Series, 23, 158-184.
32.
Shiffman, S.M. & Jarvik, M.E. (1976). Smoking withdrawal symptoms in two weeks of abstinence. Psychopharmacology50, 35-39.
33.
Shone, R. (1986). Creative visualization: How to use imagery and imagination for selfimprovement. New York: Thorsons Publishers Limited.
34.
Smoke Stoppers, Ltd. (1985). Handbook. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The National Center for Health Promotion.
35.
Steinman, G.D. (1985). Letter to the editor: Thiocyanate versus cotinine as a marker to identify smokers. Clinical Chemistry31, 1406-1406.
36.
Strosahl, K.D. & Ascough, J.C. (1981). Clinical uses of mental imagery: Experimental foundations, theoretical misconceptions, and research issues. Psychological Bulletin, 89, 422-438.
37.
Velicer, WF., DiClemente, C.C., Prochaska, J.O., & Brandenburg, N. (1985). Decisional balance measure for assessing and predicting smoking status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology48, 1279-1289.
38.
Vines, S. W. (1987). Guided imagery for enhancing health and health seeking behaviors of employees in the worksetting. Dissertation Abstracts International, 48, 1008B-1008B. (University Microfilms Order No. DA8709529).
39.
Wilcox, N.S., Prochaska, J.O., Velicer, WF., & DiClemente, C.C. (1985). Subject characteristics as predictors of self-change in smoking. Addictive Behaviors, 10, 407-412.
40.
Zahourek, R.P. (1988). Relaxation and imagery: Tools for therapeutic communication and intervention. Philadelphia: W B. Saunders Company.
